On April 12, 2013 in Feodosiya, representatives of the state-owned defense
conglomerate "Ukroboronprom" and Chinese Navy officials signed
the certificate of acceptance for the first Zubr (project 1232.2) amphibious
hovercraft. On the Ukrainian side the document was signed by Dmitry
Peregudov, Ukrspecexport General Director.

Ukrspecexport is a state-owned intermediary company for export and import
of Ukrainian military products and services.

During the ceremony, Chinese officials expressed their appreciation
for the quality of work performed by Ukrainian enterprises.

The delivery
ceremony of the first Zubr class LCAC for Chinese Navy
(Picture: Ukroboronprom)

The
first Zubr LCAC for China was built at "Feodosiya shipbuilding
company" and adapted to Chinese Navy needs. Construction of the
second ship is onging for the Chinese customer. The Chinese Navy has
placed an order for four craft at a reported cost of 315 million US
dollars. Two are being built by Feodosiya shipbuilding company, and
a second pair of vessels will be built in China under the supervision
of Ukrainian technicians.

Currently the world’s largest hovercraft, development of Zubr
landing ships started in the USSR in 1978, and the first serial ship
joined Soviet Navy in 1988. Its carrying capacity is 3 main battle tanks
with overall mass of 150 tons or 10 armored personnel carriers weighing
up to 131 tons plus 140 marines, or 8 infantry fighting vehicles with
mass up to 115 tons. If not carrying armor, Zubr is capable to accommodate
366 men.